In recent days, under the care of the attendants in the Cining Palace, Xi Huai’s frail body finally recovered. Imperial Physician Zhang checked his pulse and prescribed several decoctions to regulate his constitution before Wen Yulin was finally at ease.
Even Xi Huai noticed that something was wrong with Wen Yulin; Wen Yulin was simply too gentle. He not only personally attended to his health but also had him stay in the Cining Palace. Could it really be as the male lead from the derivative novel said? Was he transmigrated into a derivative danmei novel? This was too bizarre; Xi Huai’s meager brain could not comprehend such things happening.
He stood up and was about to leave when he happened to bump into Wen Yulin. Wen Yulin looked at him with surprise and smiled gently. “Where is Ah Huai going?”
“Mother?” Xi Huai was shocked and feigned gratitude. “Thank you for taking care of me, Mother, but since I have recovered, it is time for me to go back.”
“I want to take care of you.” Wen Yulin paused. His voice was soft, and his eyes were gentle. Despite the tender tone, which resembled a benevolent mother, it carried an undeniable sense of authority.
I see. This means he wants to keep me under his nose so it is easier to slaughter me. Xi Huai did not believe a single word. He bypassed Wen Yulin, intending to offer a stern refusal. But when he reached the doorway, he saw that the personal guards who originally served him had been replaced. Only Eunuch De and Xue Fang, as his personal attendants, had been kept by Wen Yulin.
He was astonished and returned to the courtyard to ask, “Mother, what do you mean by this?”
“Did I not say?” Wen Yulin smiled. “Your Majesty should stay in my bedchamber.”
“This is against the rules! There is no precedent for an emperor to live in the Cining Palace; would that not make me a laughingstock?”
Xi Huai was so frightened that his expression turned savage. He flared his nostrils, fearing Wen Yulin was serious.
However, Wen Yulin just smiled. He gently reached out and pressed him into a chair. “I am the Empress Dowager. In this Great Qing, who would dare to say my decision is against the rules?”
His smile was loving, like an old mother, as he smoothed out his disheveled hair. “Besides, when have you ever followed the rules? Those ministers have never been able to do anything about you and have only come to me to complain.”
Say no more, Mother. Xi Huai’s eyelid twitched a few times. “I understand what you mean. You are just worried about my safety. But although you are my mother, there is still the matter of men and women.”
“By the way, do you like the courtyard I arranged for you? It is very close to mine. If you find living there boring, you can come find me to pass the time,” Wen Yulin interrupted.
Xi Huai: ” ”
This was indeed a spacious courtyard with a traditional Chinese decor style, highlighting solemnity and dignity. The subtle fragrance of osmanthus flowers drifted in from outside the window, mixed with the orchid-like scent on Wen Yulin. Xi Huai had no desire to appreciate any of it, because he was already roaring and screaming inside.
Save me! Are you sick? What have I done to deserve this? I thought only Xiao Yuan was a madman. I did not expect the Imperial Concubine to be even crazier, and now what is going on with Wen Yulin? Setting up this filial son and loving mother scene, I want to punch Wen Yulin twice and knock him out.
But he dared not. His facial features shifted, and he made a distorted expression. “Mother, why are you doing this?” The final syllable even trembled, sounding very pitiful.
Wen Yulin’s heart, which had long been cold and hard, could not help but soften. How had he not known before that the Emperor had such an innocent and honest side? It was his own past final verdict, comparing the Emperor to the late Emperor, that had caused him to miss so much.
A trace of sorrow flashed across Wen Yulin’s face. “Mother knows. It is all Mother’s fault. Mother once treated you as an outsider and did not give you the care you deserved, which is why you developed this personality.”
“When you were hunted by assassins during the autumn hunt and went missing for days and nights, it made Mother realize that you are indispensable to me. Mother wants to protect you, and only Mother can protect you.”
That is hardly necessary. I am just used to saying sweet words; there is no need for you to change your personality. Besides, Wen Yulin was the villain of the original book; a villain should act like a villain. But Wen Yulin’s tone carried a natural intimacy, shedding his usual severity. “Ah Huai, Mother is leaving now. Do not be in a hurry. Think about it slowly; think about what is best for you.”
It was not until Wen Yulin had completely left that Xi Huai’s tense emotions relaxed. He was on the verge of a breakdown, rolling back and forth on the bed with a pillow in his arms. What is this? I cannot understand why things turned out this way. I am just an ordinary person; why has the Empress Dowager’s attitude changed suddenly?
Xi Huai dared not overthink it. He hugged the pillow tight, thinking to himself that even if it was not a trap, what did it matter? He was just a little emperor with no real power.
The Emperor of Huainan had not attended morning court for several days, leading to all sorts of rumors in the court. This only benefited the Wen faction, who repeatedly took the opportunity to stir up trouble and spar with the loyal ministers. Neutral officials were unwilling to get involved in the muddy waters and were excellent at playing dumb. Only Duke Wen, Wen Heng, frowned in displeasure. “The Emperor has suspended the morning court, yet the ministers are so quiet?”
Everyone knew that Duke Wen, Wen Heng, the older brother of Empress Dowager Wen, was a famous Duke who had rendered great service. Now that the court was controlled by the Empress Dowager and the Regent, the neutral officials dared not speak the truth. It was already difficult enough for them not to engage in cliques; they all kept their eyes lowered and said nothing, not daring to get involved.
It was the Regent, Xiao Yuan, who laughed mockingly, causing Duke Wen to glare at him repeatedly. “Why is the Duke angry? Isn’t it Empress Dowager Wen herself who made the Emperor live in the Cining Palace?”
Xiao Yuan had his black hair loose; although it was an audience, he held a folding fan, looking incredibly dashing. Even the way he looked at Duke Wen was full of provocation. “The Empress Dowager felt pity for the Emperor for being assassinated during the autumn hunt and made him move to the Cining Palace to protect him. The Duke should not make things difficult for the officials.”
Duke Wen was so angry that his beard bristled. “You!” He stammered “you” for a long time before realizing he was in the wrong and shutting his mouth.
It was not until the court session ended that Duke Wen snorted coldly and flicked his sleeves to leave. The neutral officials breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly came to thank Xiao Yuan for saving their lives.
Xiao Yuan said with rare humility, “My lords, there is no need to worry. I was just speaking the truth. It is a pity for the Emperor; he is clearly injured and unable to attend morning court, yet he has to bear such a bad reputation.”
Upon hearing this, the officials were immediately ashamed and felt a hint of guilt. Although the Emperor was unlearned, he was, after all, the Son of Heaven. Not only had they not helped him speak just now, but they had also misunderstood him, truly believing that the Emperor was lazy and unwilling to attend court. Was this not a manifestation of their own arrogance and complacency? They had almost listened to Duke Wen’s slander and accepted the claim that the Emperor was derelict in his duties. The formerly neutral officials now decided to view Xi Huai in a new light.
Xi Huai knew nothing of this. Having just recovered from a long illness, he had no interest in court affairs. A few days later, Wen Yulin even set up a family banquet for him. In the quiet Cining Palace, song and dance flourished, bringing a long-awaited liveliness.
It was not until a deep and powerful voice suddenly rang out: “Greetings, Your Majesty.” The performing dancers retreated one after another, and the courtyard grew quiet.
The visitor was Wen Heng, the older brother of Wen Yulin. Seeing Xi Huai emerge from the Cining Palace, he feigned surprise and said, “Why is Your Majesty in the Cining Palace?”
The eight-year-old son of Duke Wen looked at him presumptuously. Seeing his gaze, the boy lazily imitated his father, bowing with a perfunctory arch of his hands. Xi Huai opened his dead-fish eyes, calmly overlooking them, and refused to let them stand up. It was not until their stamina failed and their bodies began to sway that he carelessly told them to stand up.
His intentional embarrassment was obvious. Duke Wen’s face turned livid, but after all, he was the Emperor; he dared to be angry but dared not speak. He could only say sarcastically, “Pardon me for being blunt, Your Majesty, but you have already passed the age of fifteen; you should not be living with the Empress Dowager.”
His son, relying on his youth, mocked, “You are so big yet you still live with your aunt; aren’t you ashamed?”
In the original book, Duke Wen was ambitious and used Wen Yulin to help his son ascend the throne, never failing to make things difficult for the little emperor. Since that was the case, he could not blame him for acting crazy.
Xi Huai glared at the boy and shouted angrily, “The entire palace is mine! I live wherever I want to! What are you people to dare to order me around?”
The boy had been pampered since childhood; he had never been scolded before, and he started crying loudly in fright. Duke Wen’s expression grew gloomy, and his killing intent overflowed. Xi Huai was startled and took a few steps back.
The next moment, Duke Wen laughed loudly again. “Your Majesty is still young and has no elders to teach him, so it is inevitable that he does not understand worldly wisdom.”
This was a barbed insult, mocking him for lacking upbringing. To his surprise, a voice suddenly sounded from behind Duke Wen.
“Who said he does not understand?”
The visitor was Wen Yulin. He glanced at Duke Wen. “He did not understand before, but he will now.”
“Greetings, Empress Dowager.” Duke Wen suppressed his expression and smiled. “I was just joking.”
“I do not remember giving you an invitation.”
“It is my son who missed you dearly.”
When Duke Wen mentioned the child, the boy stopped crying and said sweetly, “Aunt, Yuan’er misses you.”
Unfortunately, that hypocritical father and son could not arouse even a hint of tenderness from Wen Yulin. Xi Huai saw Wen Yulin walk straight toward him. “You are fine to leave the family banquet today.”
Duke Wen was stunned. “Family banquet?”
“Ah Huai, come here.” Wen Yulin clearly did not want to bother with Duke Wen. Xi Huai saw the impatient expression he previously held vanish, flowing with clear gentleness when looking at him.
When Xi Huai walked up with trepidation, he heard Duke Wen’s voice in his ear: “We truly have not eaten together in a long time; the Empress Dowager is indeed thoughtful.”
Wen Yulin frowned irritably. He looked at the guard with displeasure. “What are you standing there for? Did you not hear Duke Wen say he wants to go home to dine?”
The guard took the hint. “Duke, please.”
Duke Wen was stunned. “What does the Empress Dowager mean?”
Wen Yulin turned a deaf ear. Under Duke Wen’s horrified gaze, he took hold of Xi Huai and shackled him in his arms. “Stay closer to me. I do not like you distancing yourself from me.”
Xi Huai was stunned. He stiffly looked at Wen Yulin. Wen Yulin was affectionately holding his waist. That gentle look in his eyes was not that of looking at a pet, but as if looking at a child.